As a liberal arts major, I don’t get to see my final work displayed because it’s mainly comprised of essays, and that’s quite boring. So, I get a sense of relief when I hit that submit button on that final paper. I don’t have to present my thesis or anything of that nature and I finally get to relax with one week left in Italy. However, the great thing about having talented friends and peers is that their art can be displayed. I get to revel in the artistry of my friends, and it is significantly more entertaining than writing essays all day. This post is centered around my friends’ craftsmanship and artistry that I got to witness at Temple Rome’s most recent student exhibition. We were showered in the beautiful melodies of my classmate’s flute as she played an original piece; I always love when the quietest people have the biggest hidden talents.
Throughout the semester, I spent a lot of time with Katana and Eli, as they brainstormed, sketched, erased, and created for months on end. I saw all the frustration and inspiration behind their works, so being able to see it all showcased and mounted in a gallery setting made me proud. I was the first one to enter the exhibit and yes, I cried, as I saw the culmination of all of their hard work.
While you’re abroad doing your own thing, you’ll have moments like this where you get to see your peers’ passions come to fruition. It decenters you in the best way possible; you get to see the different ways in which your host city inspired the people around you. Being able to praise my peers for their hard work showed how much camaraderie there was among all of us. That sense of support is important after spending so much time away from home together. Check out my other post about finding community abroad.
